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Saturday, 4 May 2013

The Rusalka

Rusalka are from Slavic mythology and are typically evil mermaids, but some cultures use the name for female ghosts. Now that that's out of the way...

Drowned Rusalka

I think this is the best rusalka. This is an early drop that can help you cycle through your deck quickly (actually, saying that makes me realize that it gives all of your cards "Cycling: U, Sacrifice a creature"). It can also work if you have no cards in hand since discarding it not part of cost.

Pros: Gives all cards Cycling

Cons: Requires sacrifice

Rating: 4/5

Martyred Rusalka

Probably the second-weakest card in this set, this card can stall your opponents for a while. This can work if your opponent has a big stompy creature (like a Giant Adephage) and all you have are a bunch of tokens. However, if your opponent has a bunch of tiny stompy creatures (like Branchsnap Lorians), this card is pretty useless.

Pros: Pseudo-arrest a creature

Cons: Requires sacrifice, only hits one creature

Rating: 2/5

Plagued Rusalka

It's a baby Phyrexian Plaguelord! The only major difference is that this costs mana whereas the Plaguelord is free. Really, that's all I have to say about it.

Pros: Baby Plaguelord

Cons: Requires sacrifice, costs mana

Rating: 3/5

Scorched Rusalka

This came close to the best rusalka, but it failed. The main reason it failed is because it can't target creatures. Being able to target players is great, especially if you swing for near-lethal then fling creatures for the last bit of damage, but if you can't get rid of the blockers, this card's effect is lessened.

Pros: Fling creatures for damage

Cons: Requires sacrifice, can't hit creatures

Rating: 2.5/5

Starved Rusalka
When is Wizards going to learn that lifegain isn't as powerful as they think it is? Sacking one creature for one life really isn't worth it. Ever. This is the worst rusalka, by far.